Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has been handed a three-match ground ban and fined £3,000 for misconduct during the team’s defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Barton admitted to using abusive, insulting and improper words to a match official in the tunnel and officials’ changing room after the game. The 40-year-old will miss the first three games of Rovers’ 2023-24 campaign. BBC Radio Bristol understand that Bristol Rovers will be appealing the decision.
Barton was highly critical of the referees in the aftermath of the match, particularly after John Marquis had a goal ruled out for being offside. He told BBC Radio Bristol: “You rely on the officials to get major decisions right and unfortunately tonight the linesman’s had a guess as they do at this level. I was always worried when I seen the referee, every time I get him he does something barmy, that ref, not really putting that on his toes. His official, the linesman, has got one job to do. It’s disappointing when they guess, sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t.”